Art and Craft of Rajasthan  Imperial Grace of Artistry

Century old skill and
imperial heritage of Rajasthan are all that make traditional art and craft
of Rajasthan a world famous attraction. The beautifully carved jewellery and
dazzling traditional garments allure people of different region of the world
to make a visit to Rajasthan.

Art and Craft Synopses
A unique range of art and crafts of Rajasthan have been captivating the
heart of entire world for many decades.

Be it the exquisite artistry of murals or paintings or wood craft or the
beaming of multi-colured tie and dye garments, the royalty of Rajasthan is
present in every aspect of its art and craft.

Imperial Artistry That Fascinate
Rajasthan is a home to astounding varieties of traditional arts and
cultural crafts. It is a place, where tourists can find century old skills,
which continues to produce some of the best artistic and exciting wares in
the brilliant soil of Rajasthan. This beautifully accomplished art and
crafts are admired and preserved not only by the localities of the region,
but also a popular attraction for international visitors around the globe.
Today, Rajasthan has earned a immense popularity, due to its rich
handicrafts, which is also a striking part of the Rajasthan culture. If you
are interested to buy some of these unique artifacts, than do not miss the
opportunity to try the bustling bazaars, fairs & festivals in the
glittering soil of Rajasthan.

Factroid

You know about 10% of the population of Rajasthan
are employed in the textile industry, and textiles are the state's main
export. The pink city's textiles, arts and crafts are covered in
prize-winning Jaipur : the Last Destination, by Aman Nath.

Notable
Rajasthani Art and Crafts !!!
The beaming soil of Rajasthan is much popularly known as the Shoppers
Paradise, for most of the anxious visitors. In some of the famous cities of
royal Rajasthan, enthusiastic tourists can pick the Tie-and-dye fabrics in
vibrant colours, as different methods are used to tie the fabric into bright
colours producing different patterns like Lahariya, Mothda, Ekdali and
Shikari. The women of Rajasthan have mastered the art of embroidering
fabrics. In applique, different pieces of cloth are patched together to make
a multi-coloured mosaic, which is adored with exotic colours, shapes and
patterns. Other famous handicrafts comprise of fine block printed textiles
and skills, wood and ivory carvings, lacquer and filigree work, Delicately
cut precious stones, and exquisite enameled jewelleries. You can also spot
traditional paintings & murals in the fetching cities of Rajasthan.

The Art and Craft Hubs of Rajasthan !!!
Nearly 40 km in the north of Udaipur, you can look for Rajasthans
Terracotta, which is continuously practice almost in all the villages near
Udaipur and was once linked with the civilization of the Indus. Here you can
get beyond the utility items like pots and pitchers, notable are the votive
images and plaques of deities particularly from Molela. Moving on to Jaipur,
you can look for thriving Blue Pottery, dates back to the 16th century, when
the influences of China Man Singh I of Amber through his contacts with the
Mughal rulers of Delhi. Among the textiles, it is the womens
tie-and-dye odhnis and the block printed Dresses that are the most distinct
and these techniques are now put to use in modern garments, bed-spreads and
table-cloths.

Factroid

Before the introduction of synthetic dyes, all
colors were derived from natural sources such as vegetables, minerals and
even insects. Yelow was derived from turmeric and buttermilk, green from
banana leaves, orange from saffron and jasmine, black from iron rust, blue
form the indigo plant, red from sugar cane and sunflowers, and purple from
the kermes insects. Colours like browns, blues and greens were considered
fast colours whereas yellows, oranges and pinks were generally fleeting
colours.

Even the famous and fine weave of the Kota-doria sarees
of Udaipur and Jaipur, is much demanded fabric amongst the international
tourists at the time of approaching summers. Gold and silver khari printing,
ajrakh, appliqued and embroidered textiles, abound in the much travelled
cities of Rajasthan. Even the carpet and durrie industry has been
revitalised to suit the tastes of modern buyers.

However, if you are a unique jewellry lover, than Jaipur is the renowned
city to pick the antique meenakari work, coloured glasses, and gleaming
silver. In Jaipur you can also look for Leather-ware, particularly the
famous and popular embroidered jooties. Today even the designer hand-bags
with graphic embroideries make a good buy. Whereas, wood, metal and Stone
are used by todays craft persons to create decorative and utility
items that shoppers often find irresistible. Even the Rajasthan paintings,
which are world renowned is easily available at the well-known schools of
painting like Marwar, Hadoti, Kishangarh, Mewar, Dhundhar and Alwar. Here
the visitors can get the finest quality of miniature paintings, that
continue to be fabricated in Rajasthan. You will be amazed with the
beautiful combination of colours, which is done on both paper as well as on
cloth and the different regions maintain their own style, known as different
schools of paintings. Rajasthan is also known for its traditional art. The
block prints, tie and die prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints, Zari
embroidery are some of the major export products from Rajasthan.

Splendours of Regal
Art and Craft.

Rajasthan perhaps more than any other State in India, is a treasure trove
for the traditional art lovers.

For centuries old skills in the traditional crafts continue to produce some
of the most exciting wares in the world. Tie-and-dye fabrics in vibrant
colours, fine block printed textiles,
wood and ivory carving, tattoos,
lacquer and filigree work, delicately cut precious stones and exquisite
enameled jewellery are some examples of the Rajasthan artistry.

Factroid

The oldest existing specimen of meenakari (enamel
work) is the Jaipur Staff. It is 132 cm long and consist of 33 segments of
gold, featuring exquisite enamel work portraying floral and animal designs.
The handle of the staff is solid jade. The maharaja Man Singh -1, bore this
staff with him to Delhi when he was summoned to the royal court by Emperor
Akbar.

Top on the World Chart - Rajasathan Handicraft

Hand-block Prints : Hued in the vegetable colours, the
floral beauty of hand-blocks prints are of world wide fame.Lacquer and Filigree Work : Lacquer and filigree work of
Lac jewellery and bangles much famous in all over India.Meenakari Work :Gold and silver jewellery look stunning
when some colour is added to it.Mehandi : Rajasthani
Mehandi decoration, once dominated the fashion market of the world in the
late 1990s.Tie and Dye Work :
These multi-hued dazzling clothes have been captivating the heart of the
entire world for centuries.Terracotta Tradition : Exquisite miniature effigies are
still keeping the age-old heritage of terracotta tradition alive.Puppet Art : Puppets made of
wood and cotton is the finest art of Rajasthan.Jaipur Marbles : Excellent artifacts made of Jaipur
marbles are famous world wide.Miniature Paintings : Spectacular miniature paintings of
Rajasthan are renowned world over.Embroidery : Deft needlework studded with mirror in
bright colours is the specialty of Rajasthani embroidery.Shekhawati Paintings : Shekhawati is famous for its
bright wall painting making it a popular tourist destination.Tattoo : The
typical art of permanent designs on body.Turbans : The shape and size of Rajasthan turbans are a
great indicator of person position in the society.

Rajasthans Terracotta tradition that was linked with the civilization
of the Indus continues is still alive in almost every Village. Beyond the
utility items like pots and pitchers, notable are the votive images and
plaques of deities particularly from Molela (40 km north of Udaipur).

Do You Know

Jaipur's unique blue pottery isn't formed from
clay, but from a paste made from crushed quartz. Of all the arts of
Rajasthan, pottery has the longest lineage, with fragments of pottery
recovered from Kalibangan dating from the Harappan era around 2500 BC.

The thriving Blue Pottery of Jaipur dates back to the 16th
century when the influences of China Man Singh I of Amber through his
contacts with the Mughal rulers of Delhi.

Among the textiles, it is the womens tie-and-dye odhnis (scarf) and
the block printed Dresses that are the most distinct. These techniques are
now put to use in modern garments, bed-sheets and table-cloths.

The fine weave of the Kota-Doria sarees are sought all over the India for
summer wear. Gold and silver khari printing, ajrakh, appliqued and
embroidered textiles, also abound in Rajasthan.

Of late, Rajasthanis carpet and durrie industry has been revitalized
to suit the tastes of modern buyers and are finding new uses as upholstery
and bed-spreads.

Do You Know

Gold is thought to purify all it touches, and is
not usually worn on the feet as it is considered a pure metal, the other
perception carries that Gold jewelry might bring bad luck if worn on the
feet.

The craftsmanship of jewellers and other skills of
Rajasthan are renowned particularly Jaipurs meenakari, a process of
coloured glass. Silver is more commonly worn and worked upon and certainly
more affordable for gift shoppers.

Leather-ware, particularly jooties with embroidered uppers are famous and
popular. Today even designer hand-bags with graphic embroideries make a good
buy. Wood, metal and Stone are used by todays craft persons to create
decorative and utility items that shoppers often find irresistible.

Miniature paintings of the finest quality continue to be executed in
Rajasthan both on paper and on large pieces of cloth. Different regions
maintain their own style, known as different schools of painting. Some
well-known schools of painting are Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Kishangarh,
Dhundhar and Alwar.

Shopper's Paradise :
Rajasthan !!!
Rajasthan is known for its traditional Art and Crafts all over the world.
Every year, millions of curious travellers converge to Rajasthan, just to
purchase the unique range of art and crafts.

Rajasthan is often recognize as the shopper's paradise, for its tie and die
prints, block printing, embroidery and mirror work that has created a
world-wide image of India in its overseas market. Bagaru prints, Sanganer
prints, Meenakari work, Rajasthani Jooties, semi precious stones, Lacquer
and filigree work, Murals and paintings, Kota-doria and lahriya sarees are
some of the major export items from Rajasthan. Handicraft items like wooden
furniture, carpets, blue potteries are some of the things you will easily
find in Rajasthan bazaars.

Factroid

In Jaipur mass carpets were fabricated under the
tutorship of Persian weavers for the royal Durbar Halls. There is an
exquisite collection of carpets both at the museum in the City Palace and at
the Central Museum in Jaipur. Today there are around 62,000 weavers in
Rajasthan, working away on around 33,000 looms.

Rajasthan
Cities Famous For Art And Crafts !!!Jaipur : If you are in Jaipur, then do not miss to visit
the old and famous bazaars of the city like Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar,
Tripolia bazaar, Khazane walon ka rasta, Johari Bazaar, where you can look
for famous jewellery stores and semi precious stones. Jaipur, is famous for
its Rajasthani Jooties, embroidered fabrics, saris, leather goods,
furniture, hand-block prints, minute mirror work, printed carpets.

Udaipur : Whereas, Udaipur also has many shopping
arcades, some of them are Bapu Bazaar, Khadi Gram Udyog , Kala Niketan,
Clock Tower and Hathipol, from where you can get the famous ready mades
textiles, jewelleries, local bheels images, Rajasthani jootis, wooden
souvenirs, handicrafts, Rajasthan silver, block printed bedspreads and the
popular lahriya and other saris.

Jodhpur : It is another interesting city for shopper's,
from where you can pick matchless tie and dye saris, handicrafts, textiles,
leather goods, embroidered shoes and utensils.

Shekhawati : If you have an eye for unique art and
crafts, then Shekhawati would be a wonderful experience for you, here you
can look for famous Shekhawati painting, murals, souvenirs, furniture,
chairs, cradles, and tie-dye fabrics. Mukundgarh is known for beautiful
textiles, brass and iron scissors whereas Mandawa for bangles and fabrics.

Did You Know

Wall Hangings made from pieces of old clothing,
some with mirror work with intricately embroidered fabric - usually are
popular buys. These hangings can range from small cushion-sized squares to
bedspread-sized pieces fatching a price from a couple of hundred rupees up
to several thousand. The best place to buy these handicraft items is
Jaisalmer.

Bikaner : Bikaner is another
renowned city for its exquisite crafts, leather goods, miniature paintings,
and wooden products, made from camel and sheepskin. Some of the main
shopping areas in Bikaner are Kot Gate, King Edward Memorial Road and
Station Road, from where you can look for souvenirs and handcrafted items.

Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer is another preferred tourist city
for Art and Crafts, there are scores of narrow lanes shops in its bustling
markets, which still retain a medieval charm for daily wanderers. Once in
Jaisalmer, you can look for embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs,
blankets, antiques and old stonework, colorful handcrafted items, bandhini
fabrics (tie and dye), puppets, Rajasthani joothies, woven jackets, camel
leather items.

Mount Abu : And not to forget the one and only hill
destination of Rajasthan 'Mount Abu', which is an enchanting hill resort for
shopping, from here you can take back home the variety of Rajasthani
handicrafts, Textiles, Jewellery, curios in wood, metal and marble. Some of
the popular area for buying Art and crafts are Nakki Lake, Khadi Bhandar,
Kashmir Cottage emporium, where you can look for fabrics, Kota saris, linen
with Sanganeri prints, lightweight Jaipury quilt, metal, stone and wooden
curios.